2o4 Nations lately become Literary. [Ch. XXVI. 



followed by two other parts of the same work ; 

 by Dissertations on the English Language, and by 

 several other publications from the same pen. 

 The influence of this gentleman in promoting a 

 taste for philological inquiries and good writing 

 among his countrymen ; the general introduction 

 of his Institute into the schools of America ; and 

 the extensive utility of his learned labours, ace 

 well known, and are worthy of particular notice 

 in tracing the literary history of that country. 



The establishment of the federal government, 

 in 1789, may be considered as the last grand 

 epocha in the progress of knowledge in America. 

 From this period public tranquillity and confi- 

 dence began to rest on a foundation more solid 

 than before ; wealth flowed in on every side ; the 

 extended intercourse with Europe, the great 

 seat of civilisation, refinement, and literature, 

 rendered the United States every day more fami- 

 liar with transatlantic productions and improve- 

 ments j and a sense of national dignity and inde- 

 pendence becoming gradually more strong and ge- 

 neral in them, all conspired to furnish the means, 

 and to excite an ambition for enriching their own 

 country with the treasures of knowledge. 



From this time till the end of the century, lite- 

 rary institutions of various kinds were multiplied 

 with astonishing rapidity in the United States. 

 Beside colleges, academies, and subordinate 

 schools, scientific associations were formed ; li- 



does honour to the author, and shows that education Is by no 

 means neglected in America. At the beginning of the year 

 1801, more than one million and a half of copies of this work 

 had been sold. 



